Why the United States can loses its technology throne?

Autor: Luís Nobre Conceição

Until recently, the world organization was based on economic and political change. The market just had to deal with these two fronts. Today, in addition to them, it is also necessary to deal with the technology that leads a parallel dispute. Private and public organizations are constantly on the alert, competition is not always known and already occupies its place in the market. Right now, a totally disruptive technology can come straight from a garage in India.

Particularly, I’m a “garage company” enthusiast – after all, I’ve owned one myself. When I considered that the companies of the Portuguese market of the 1980s were not the best way for my growth, I took the risk of living the adventure of undertaking, and especially innovating. I decided to create and develop tools that did not exist yet but were already needed.

Why India?

And why did I use India? Well, reading an Exame story about the top bets in the field of technological innovation, I found that India and China are at the top of the list. And you can understand some of why these two countries will surpass the United States.

In a more central country, such as the United States, a path has already been traveled. Attempts have already been made, and of course, the country is also a pioneer in regulating technological innovations. While it is necessary to oversee and moralize the use of technology and discuss its limits, it also makes it difficult to cross innovation boundaries if you do not test new possibilities. In such a dynamic area, legal boundaries can stifle development.

On the other hand, enjoying a certain comfort and economic and political stability means that younger generations do not struggle with dilemmas of solving major problems and conflicts. What we consider achievements is treated as natural and obvious by those who arrive later. And as the story itself suggests, there is a fear of seeing technology turn against the common good and bring about social and human loss.

In India and China, the need for solutions comes from their current stage of development. While these countries face social and economic challenges already overcome by the central countries, technology is an area that depends less on public policy. Technology develops unevenly, not a linear process.

Big leaps happen from innovations that cannot be foreseen.

Unlike other areas of wealth generation in a country, technology can develop from a simple idea.

And the technology of Brazil, whats is the connection?

Well, the scenario is optimistic too, for the same reasons that made China and India potential leaders on the world stage. Brazil has a number of specificities that make this field fruitful.

First, we have very specific needs. In our tracking business, for example, in Portugal and later in Angola, we were completely restricted to companies. When we arrived in Brazil it was evident that there was a pent-up demand, a huge market of people interested in their own security and their assets. This required us not only customize adjustments, it required developing a new product at the time.

In all sectors, this is observed: the components of the Brazilian local reality demand new solutions, not yet created.

Which is the other side?

On the other hand, we are also experiencing a period of change in Brazil’s position in the world market. Old industrial poles now need to reinvent themselves. The city of Blumenau (SC) has been living this: while the textile sector was in constant decline, we saw a number of technology companies. Santa Catarina as a whole, by the way, is a spearhead in this process.

From an investor’s perspective, which needs results, where is it most advantageous to bet: In a US company, heavily pressured by regulators and public opinion? Or in a new project or partnership that will pioneer? And what can still bring economic development and jobs for that region?

Of course, not all trends are confirmed, especially in projections based on facts that have not yet happened. The United States will still maintain the world reference in various sectors. But the most optimistic scenario for other countries is a symptom of growth and expansion of possibilities – both business and human and social.